Sometimes, even the best of anime can't escape the cringe trope of whitewashing the entire cast. Fortunately, the anime community has enjoyed its fair share of diversified characters, especially Black characters.
Stereotyping is a long-standing issue that is diminishing as time passes, but luckily, fans have been blessed with some amazing Black characters over the years. These Black characters are not only show-stealers, but they might be the only thing keeping some of these shows together.
10 Afro Samurai (Afro Samurai)
As the title suggests, Afro Samurai is discreetly dedicated to a man of color and his vengeance upon those who killed his father. Afro Samurai follows the story of Afro, who is the second-most powerful samurai in the region, where he not only has to defeat other skillful assassins but also an android version of himself.
Afro Samurai is a cult classic featuring one of the best Black anime characters of all time. Afro Samurai is an iconic show in every aspect, especially being based on the first real Black samurai in Japan. Voiced by the great Samuel L. Jackson, Afro Samurai hits hard, whether it's the flesh-slicing sequences or the action-packed soundtrack.
9 Canary (Hunter X Hunter)
Canary is a badass Black female anime character who stole the show with her cold yet confident personality. The coolness in her character outweighs everything. She's easily one of the best characters in Hunter x Hunter, with her black suit and awesome fighting skills keeping the Zoldycks family safe.
Canary is ruthless, smart, and sometimes even a softie, but nothing beats her sense of loyalty, which is above everything else. Even though she's still a teenager in HxH, Canary uplifts everything around her as a solid, diverse character.
8 Kilik Rung (Soul Eater)
It's outrageous how Kilik Rung doesn't get the screen time he deserves in Soul Eater. He's easily one of the best supporting characters on the show, with his complex character that's both hot and cold. Kilik Rung is one of the top students at Death Weapon Meister Academy.
If anything, Kilik has worked himself to death to earn the top spot, and almost no one has a chance to stand against his twin gauntlets, Fire and Thunder. He may look like a hot head, but he will go to any lengths to protect his friends and make full use of his expert hand-to-hand combat skills.
7 Coffee (Cowboy Bebop)
There's no one quite like Coffee when it comes to utter swag and coolness. Coffee stands out instantly with her unique personality traits and captivating aura. Even though she only appeared for a single episode, she left a lasting impression on the audience with her bounty hunter skills and grenade launcher.
Coffee met Edward and Ein during a hunt for the same man. And while the duo was far from being serious about anything, Coffee reminded the audience how a real boss does it. If anyone from Cowboy Bebop deserves a spinoff, it's her.
6 Fire Emblem (Tiger & Bunny)
Fire Emblem (whose real name is Nathan Seymour) represents acceptance of several marginalized groups. Fire Emblem is both a robust Black character and also one of the very few non-binary characters in anime. Nathan Seymour is the true representation of struggling with one's identity because of societal pressure and rejection.
Fire Emblem faces a lot of criticism from everyone due to their love of jewelry, makeup, and dressing up. Fire Emblem is a very lively character in Tiger & Bunny who knows how to lighten the mood and fight against stereotyping.
5 Carole Stanley (Carole And Tuesday)
Carole Stanley is a modern Black anime character who appeals to the younger generation. She's a simple yet headstrong girl trying to make ends meet in this cruel world. She's an orphan and needs a consistent job to look after herself, but her straightforwardness is the reason why she gets kicked out of almost every job.
Amid all the chaos in her life, including school bullying, Carole dares to dream of becoming a musician. Carole Stanley is a rare gem in the slice-of-life genre with a larger-than-life personality and the ambition of never backing down.
4 Muhammad Avdol (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure)
Anime fans may debate over JoJo's Bizarre Adventure's animation style, but nothing beats the energetic character of Muhammad Avdol in Stardust Crusaders. He may seem to be full of himself at first and is extra sensitive about appearances, but he proves to be a useful ally.
Avdol looks too over-the-top with his bizarre fashion choices and scarred face, but there's more to his character than meets the eye. He's a good friend, a wise leader, sometimes obnoxious, but also a competent mentor. Avdol helped Jotaro Kujo in a tight spot and essentially played a defining role in putting a stop to Dio.
3 Dutch (Black Lagoon)
Dutch is the usual large body type, hard-hitting fella with a knack for authority. One would assume by solely looking at his physique that he's the leader type who probably starts and ends a conversation with a punch. However, Dutch is the opposite and prefers to be level-headed rather than resorting to fighting.
Dutch is the leader of the Lagoon Company and knows very well how to keep everyone in line. Fans might even confuse him for an anime version of Samuel L. Jackson because he's that good and avoids fights at all costs. His crew is his sole priority, and he would never risk their lives, even for all the money in the world.
2 Atsuko Jackson (Michiko & Hatchin)
Atsuko Jackson is the perfect embodiment of a beautiful, arresting, and confident Black woman who turned her life around for the better. Even though she grew up in the same orphanage as Michiko, Atsuko dedicated her efforts to making a career as a policewoman and often helped Michiko out of sticky situations.
Atsuko Jackson is an exciting character, especially her looks, which are both unique and accurate. She's a well-written, complex character who starts off as an antagonist, but several aspects of her character unfold, which will amaze the audience.
1 Yoruichi Shihouin (Bleach)
Yoruichi is a strong Black female who outshines and outranks almost everyone. She has several accomplishments under her belt, starting from being the first woman in the Shihoin family to be the head of the house. Yoruichi is perhaps the most powerful Hoho master in Bleach, which earned her the title of "Flash Goddess."
Like a flash of lightning, Yoruichi can cut through heaps of enemies and is so fast that she's considered to be in several places at once. Yoruichi has the energy and power to trample over any ridiculous trope.
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